Anyone live/lived in Italy?

I have the possibility of a job in Italy, in a place about 20km south of Rome, and was looking for some views of life there.

I am currently living in Germany, and am quite settled, have friends I go riding and drinking with, and its a pretty good life. But I have to say, the climate in Italy and being much closer to the sea really does appeal to me.

Yup Florence.
Nice enough ( ) but you have to put up with Jonnie Tourist, I found it Hot, Dusty, lots of mates who rode out (roadies) and sort of enjoyed the food and wine :wink:, hated the glammed up wiminz, laughed at the Gigolos and generally fitted in right away.
I speak little Italian, got on fine, most folks speak English/German anywhoos so wasn't a problem.
Food was cheap, wine too, but you have to be prepared for banter in the Markets (which I loved) there are very large super/hypermarkets around but the ambiance is like a fridge.
Stay local, eat local, ride local.
Couldn't fault it.
Rooms/Appt's to rent were easy to come by (I had a mates Appt) you need to stump up deposits and g'tees but it's nothing untoward, travel like cars and scooters are the way too go, I had a scooter (still have) and it was ace, if it rains the roads get very slippy so remember that..
Some of the best times of my life

Rome was hot in summer. Never really cold in winter. Hills on the doorstep (Well Frascati is on a hill), but not sure about the MTBing (cheeky trails I guess). Even more bigger, hills not so far away.

Lots of roadies (often see chaingangs with all ages right up to octagenarians, all lycra'd up in branded team/club gear).

Been there on business trips, but never resided there for more than 2-3 weeks in one go. Lived in a hotel in Turin for 3 months though (was sposed to be 6, and covering a ski season, but they made me go back to Holland in the December )